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How the harmonica queens from K-town took over the NHL
Harmonica players from a K-town's senior center perform at a Kings playoff game on April 29, 2025.
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Mia Jones
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Courtesy Los Angeles Kings
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Los Angeles is a purple and gold town. It's also a Dodger blue town. But one unsuspecting segment of the city has been locked in to the first-round Stanley Cup playoffs between our Los Angeles Kings and the Edmonton Oilers.
That segment? Korean retiree harmonica players from Koreatown. And even though the Kings are out of playoff contention, their viral videos live on.
Before Game 1 of the series on April 21, the group of about a dozen of harmonicists, attired in traditional Korean hanbok, took to the stage to serenade a crowd of some 20,000 with a rendition of the national anthem — and got them to sing along.
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It was a sure bet to go viral. Indeed, the group was invited back to perform at Game 2 and Game 3 on Tuesday, where they were decked out in the Kings' black and silver.
One of the harmonica players from Koreatown performs at a Kings playoff game on April 29, 2025.
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Mia Jones
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Courtesy of the Los Angeles Kings
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The harmonica queens performing The Star-Spangled Banner.
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Courtesy Los Angeles Kings
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Who are these queens?
The silver set hails from a harmonica class at the Koreatown Senior and Community Center on Normandie Avenue — one of nearly 50 courses the space offers to seniors since its founding in 2013. About 1,500 people participate in the programs each week, according to the center, including learning to trot dance, reading the English newspaper and calligraphy.
The harmonica class began about seven years ago and has been practicing The Star-Spangled Banner since 2021. They play other tunes too — in case you were wondering — such as Mother's Grace.
The pint-sized instrument has special meaning for those living in the Korean diaspora.
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"They know harmonica since in the elementary school in Korea, they're teaching harmonica in second grade," said Yong Shin, the senior center’s chairperson. She added that the instrument's portability allows the group to practice anywhere.
Shin said the class has been performing at local events for years, including on Mother's Day, over Christmas, or during the Lunar New Year.
The harmonica queens of K-town at the Kings game.
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Courtesy Los Angeles Kings
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From K-town to Crypto.com Arena
Their big break came in 2023, when the group performed the national anthem at City Hall for a Los Angeles City Council meeting. The rendition was met with a standing ovation from the council members and the more than 100 people in attendance.
The love gave the center's executive director, Kwanil Park, the confidence to pitch a performance for a Kings game.
Their hockey debut was March 23, 2025, as part of the club's K-Town Night.
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"What started as a unique performance during our Koreatown Theme Night — where fans spontaneously began singing along — quickly became one of our most memorable moments of the season. When it came time to select anthem performers for the playoffs, the choice was easy," said Sean Tabler, vice president of production and entertainment with the L.A. Kings, in a statement to LAist.
The Los Angeles King play the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday, April 29, 2025 at Crypto.com Arena in Los Angeles , CA.
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Mia Jones/Mia Jones/Los Angeles Kings
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Performing in front of a stadium full of people might be intimidating to most people, but Shin said not so much for the seasoned crew.
"I think they are kind of a little nervous, but [they've been] practicing so many times," Shin said. "I asked them. They said, 'No, we are fine. We could do, you know, like closing eyes.'"
So no more Kings performances until hopefully next season. But after going viral, Shin said offers to perform have poured in. She can't say where and when just yet — but keep your eyes, and ears, tuned for that down-home sound.
Help spread the love
The Kings are organizing fundraising campaign for the Koreatown Senior and Community Center. All money will go directly to the outfit. You can donate here.
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